Brilliant Idea Increases Art Studio Income Dramatically

Are your sales down in a tough economy? Here’s what one art glass studio did to attract customers and put their business into overdrive.

Brenda Griffith

While the economy was slowing sales for many businesses in 2010, the owners of Siyeh Glass in Atlanta, Georgia came up with a concept that made them one of the most popular destinations in their city. Brenda Griffith of Siyeh explains in this video from a discussion at the Buyers Market of American Craft how they created and publicized “Date Night” at Siyeh.

Date Night is an opportunity for couples to have a “unique experience” on a date by spending several hours with a private instructor, learning glassblowing and kilnforming in a working glass studio. It has become so popular that each week is often booked up with about 22 couples attending (at $165 per couple).

Due to demand, studio space has been increased to accommodate more visitors, and new staff was hired. Griffith states that interest runs the gamut through all demographics, and that they sell out frequently.

Dates can be scheduled Thursday through Saturday, in the morning, afternoon or evening, and is usually only one couple for each time slot. Beverages and “nibblies” are provided to enhance the experience, and plans have been made to purchase a soda stream machine for carbonated drinks without creating container waste.

Couples are encouraged to bring their cameras, as one person will be blowing or forming glass while the other observes and can snap photos.

Siyeh Glass is a production studio which wholesales to galleries, and doesn’t normally retail their art glass, but they do sell supplies and offer classes. An artists’ 10-day open house event happens each year, called “Siyeh Sleigh Ride” where art from everyone working at the studio and their friends are sold to the public.

What’s next? Brenda Griffith mentions “team-building events” where groups from the corporate world or other organizations come to the studio to gain skills in working together as teams. This new strategy promises to make the studio more popular than ever.